The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-10-22
CHANCELLOR B. M. ESTES.
A SUCCESSOR TO THE LATE JUDGE
ELLETT APPOINTED.
He Accepts the Important Trust After
Urgent Solicitation from His Breti,-
rem OF the Bar-A Wise and Worthy
Appointments.

The robes of chancellor for this district, "a
succeed the lamented Judge Elicit have
been cast uponother shoulders The follow.
ing telegram, received late Thursday night,
will explain
NASHVILLE Tenn, Oct. 90, 1887
To d. NJ. Estes, Memphis
You are appointed chancellor for the Eleventh
chanccry division OF Tennessee made vacant by
the death OF Judge III, T. Elicit.
ROBERT L. TAYLOR. Governor.
Soon after the death of Judge Elicit some
OF the more prominent members of the local
bar association went 10 Judge Estes and in
vited him to take the position. He at first
declined the trust, on account Of the small
salary, his large family, and the sacrifice of
practice II would nccessitate. The fraternity
assured him that IL was the unanimous wish
oil the bar, and his intimate friends insisted
that the request rendered his acceptance a
DUTY, and, under this pressure, he finally con-
sented. The numerously signed petition was
thereupon forwarded to Nashville and the
appointment made.
Judge Estes was visited at his office by an
hrrEAL reporter yesterday afternoon, where
he was receiving congratulations from his
brethren and thanks for his consent to serve
Judge j. w. Clapp and Col. Luke w. Find
lay were there at the time. eyes" said the
newly chosen judge in answer to a rcporto-
rial question, my brethren Of the bar pre-
sented their emergency and desire TO me in
such sincere language that reluctantly con
scented to serve them and the public us chan
celior My commission will probably arrive
tomorrow, and on Monday | shall open court
at the usual hour and proceed with the regu-
lar business"
Judge Estes was born March 10. 1882 and
Is therefore slightly above tifty-fiye years Of
age, but looks at least fifteen years younger.
lie attended the Louisville law school and
graduated with distinction when only nine
teen years Of age. On account Of his youth
he could not secure license 10 practice in
tennessee and returned 10 his home
at brownsville 10 determine what
could be done until he attained
his majority After dcliberation, IL was
finally determined 10 practice law. majority
or no majority, and TO carry out this resolve
he took with him u body servant and To-
Gated at Smithyille, Ark. In that State there
was no legal restrictions against minors, and
II afforded the only avenue OF escape. Judg
Bivens was on the circuit bench, and 10 him
MIR. Estes applied. Three Of the shrewdest
and most experienced lawyers In the circuit
were appointed by the judge 20 examine the
applicants qualifications. They took him 20
remote log house, placed no value upon
time, and went at him with rules, propo-
pertaining TO textbook learning At the
end, which the young man thought would
never come, the examiners pronounced the
result OF the examination satisfactory IN
every way and issued him inttcring ccrtif-
cate. lie practiced In the courts there few
months, then returned 10 Brownsville
There he presented his Arkansas certificate
and license, received license 20 practice in
the Tennessee courts, and did 80 at Browns
vile until his twenty-iirt birthday was
passed. Then he came 10 Memphis, arriving
when just Of agc, in 1853. Since then lac
has resided and pacticcd here almost
continuously. As practitioner, he is
the Nestor ~ the Memphis bar. even exceed
ing the venerable Judge Calvin +. Vance.
but Is closely followed By Judge J. w.
Clapp. In 1861 lac was elected 10 aud served
one term In the State Legislature, aud after.
ward served few months on the arbitrary
commission, organized in the three divisions
OF the State, under an act OF 1915 10 relieve
the supreme court from an over crowded
docket. Col l.. u. Mckissick. now living In
San Francisco, and Judge Henry Craft were
his associates on the commission. lie was
also president for one term Of the State bar
Association.
Only one thing remains 10 be said. The bar
association knew and appreciated the quail.
ficatiOns of the Hon. u. NJ. Estes for the cX-
allied and important trust, else lac would
never have been ~ unanimously singled but
Therefore Il Il true, hc i a worthy successor
OF the lamcntcd Judge Elicit